Milein Cosman at HSoA

Remarkable lives are made so because they move us. Milein Cosman embraced so much of what makes Hampstead School of Art the community-minded Charity that it is.

Born in Germany, Cosman is best known for her drawings of leading cultural figures, dancers, and musicians in action, many of them Hampstead artists such as Francis Bacon and Henry Moore.

"I met Milein, who was a long standing resident of Hampstead many years ago when I was invited via Julian Hogg to join her for tea. This was a delightful meeting with homemade cake, during which she told me about her friendship with Henry Moore - the life long Patron of HSoA (then called Hampstead Artists Council), Francis Bacon and so many Hampstead artists whom she was inspired to draw. We met on several occasions, each time the richness of her life stories and ways of working have since become art school legend. We are proud to own many beautifully illustrated books of Milein’s drawings and prints of musicians, dancers, composers, as well as Milein’s equally extraordinary husband, the musician, writer, broadcaster, and teacher, Hans Keller; these books are much borrowed from the art school office.

Many of our students commissioned Milein to make drawings of their children and many others bought drawings, prints and paintings directly from her studio.

Milein drew the entire post war German cabinet, drawings which were exhibited at the Reichstag in Berlin in 2022, a wonderful exhibition.

Mileins exhibition at HSoA Gallery in 2021 celebrated the centenary of her life and work, and displayed a range of her drawings, including Mikhail Baryshnikov, T. S. Eliot, and Igor Stravinsky, examples of which can also be seen in the new current exhibition at HSoA Gallery.

When Milein sadly died we inherited Milein’s painting easel and palette - on display in the entrance foyer – and many still life objects which inspire our everyday art school life.

The Cosman Keller Art and Music Trust continues its relationship with the art school.

Milein’s life continues through her work and all of us who love it."

-Isabel H Langtry, HSoA Principal